SOLAR
FLARES COULD DISRUPT SOME COMMUNICATIONSThe sun this week
unleashed a series of X-flares, classified among the most intense solar
activity, that each became the most energetic of the year until the next
one; none were directed toward earth but that may change next week with
possible effects for aviation. The Space Weather Prediction Center is
watching the activity for potential disruption of space-based
communication systems and ground-based electronics. Aviation activities
most susceptible to the flares include aircraft communication. If
affected, scientists say we would see it first with aircraft flying near
the poles. The increase in solar storm activity was predicted years ago
and AVweb sat with a specialist to talk about its affects on GA.
More...

Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers what
role they believe EAA should play in the aviation community; click
through to see the breakthrough of answers. More...

EAA AirVenture 2013: You
Gotta Be There!
Enjoy daily world-class air shows plus two sensational night air shows;
witness the first U.S. public flights by Yves "Jetman" Rossi;
see 2,500-plus show planes; camp with 40,000 fellow enthusiasts; rock to
the classic sounds of Chicago; choose from hundreds of forums and
workshops; peruse what's new from 800 exhibitors ... Only in Oshkosh
and all in one week!

ATP
RULE CHANGE AFFECTS CAREER CHOICESA new law that will
require first officers in regional jets to hold at least an ATP
certificate is not yet official, but it's already affecting aviation
careers, Kent Lovelace, chair of the aviation department at the
University of North Dakota, told AVweb this week. The law will
take effect this August, whether or not the FAA has completed its
proposed rulemaking process, Lovelace said. The regionals already have
started to reject applicants who aren't likely to log the minimum 1,500
hours total time by this summer, and the change also has caused some
students to choose a different career track. The regionals' applicant
pool has shrunk "to where some carriers, the usable applications they
have on file are virtually nil," says Lovelace. More...

PODCAST:
PROF. KENT LOVELACE ON THE PILOT POOLIt's not an easy road
from first solo to an airline left seat, and new rules now in the works
are making that journey even bumpier. Kent Lovelace, chair of the
aviation department at the University of North Dakota, talks with
AVweb's Mary Grady about the impact of new rules that raise the
bar for that first job, how airlines and students are adapting, and some
new programs that aim to address some of these issues.
More...

FlyCool Air Conditioning
SystemAvailable at California Power SystemsFlyCool is a lightweight, all-electric air conditioning
system developed for the expanding LSA market. The system includes a
maintenance-free, hermetically-sealed, brushless DC motor/compressor, a
lightweight condenser assembly, and a compact evaporator unit. The AC
runs from either a 70-amp alternator specially designed to integrate
well with the 912 Rotax engine or a 28V DC ground power source. The
system weighs only 22 pounds installed. Kit includes main components,
hose, fittings, connectors, outline drawings, flight manual, and wiring
schematic. Call 1 (800) AIR-WOLF or
visit 800-airwolf.com.

FAA
CALLS FOR GA SAFETY IMPROVEMENTSWith the busy summer flying
season upon us, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on Tuesday met with
leaders from EAA, AOPA, GAMA, NBAA and others in the general aviation
community to discuss actions to enhance safety and reduce accidents. The
GA fatal accident rate has remained flat over the past five years,
Huerta noted. "We cannot become complacent about safety," he said.
"Together, we must improve the safety culture to drive the GA fatal
accident rate lower." The group agreed to set short-terms goals to raise
awareness on the importance of basic airmanship and to promote a
positive safety culture. Huerta also asked the aviation community to
commit to several longer-term goals. More...

FLYERS'
GROUP SEEKS LIMIT ON 787 FLIGHTSFlyers' Rights, an advocacy
group for airline passengers, said on Tuesday the FAA should restrict
787 flights to within two hours of an airport "until the safety of its
lithium-ion batteries is proven." The restriction wouldn't affect
flights over the continental U.S. or most flights to Europe, but
trans-Pacific and transpolar routes would be off limits. "Our proposed
actions are both urgent and necessary," said Paul Hudson, president of
the organization. "Adequate testing of the batteries haven't been done
and the fire investigation is not finished." United Airlines, the only
U.S. carrier flying 787s, plans to resume
domestic flights with the airplane next Monday, and will start flying
the Denver-Tokyo route on June 10. More...

New Small Size for Your
Aircraft  Protect You and YourPassengers with an
Ultra-Low-Level Carbon Monoxide Detector
You asked for a smaller unit  now you have it. The CO Experts
2014 detects CO down to 1 ppm in real time. It begins
alerting you at 10 ppm while other detectors will not until 35 ppm. The
new compact size is perfect for the cockpit or flight bag!

NAVY
CARRIER AND LIQUID HYDROGEN DRONE MILESTONESThe U.S. Navy
this week announced it has -- for the first time -- successfully
launched the X-47B combat-capable aerial vehicle from an aircraft
carrier and, separately, set a new record for flight endurance with a
fuel cell-powered UAV with the Ion Tiger. The X-47B's testing Tuesday
saw it launch from the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush during flight
operations in the Atlantic Ocean off the Virginia coast. The launch was
followed by several low approaches and a flight mission to the naval
base at Patuxent River, Md., that also demonstrated a ship-based to
land-based transfer of control. Also this week the Navy reported that
its Ion Tiger unmanned vehicle set a record for endurance, flying 48
hours and one minute on liquid hydrogen fuel. More...

The Easy-to-Install IFD440
& IFD540 with Hybrid Touch
The IFD440 & IFD540 are plug-and-play replacements for
GNS430 and GNS530 Series navigators, providing powerful NAV, COM, and
Map capabilities. Featuring a Hybrid Touch user interface, these new
systems allow pilots to perform virtually all functions using dedicated
knobs/buttons or via the touchscreen interface.

SONEX
TO OFFER TRANSITION TRAININGIn a study
of amateur-built aircraft completed last year, the NTSB cited a need for
transition training to help new owners safely fly their airplanes, and
this week Sonex said it has developed a training program for its fleet.
Sonex said the FAA has authorized the company to provide flight training
for pilots who are building, buying, or considering a Sonex design.
"Preparing to fly your Sonex with the proper training and type-specific
flight time is just as important as building the aircraft properly,"
said Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett. The training is offered by Sonex staff
CFIs at the company base in Oshkosh, Wis. More...

Track More Targets with
Garmin GTS 825 & 855
The new GarminGTS 825 and GTS 855 traffic systems
keep an eye on even more targets, so you can stay even safer in the
skies. They combine active and passive (like ADS-B) surveillance
technologies to track up to 75 intruder threats to 40 or 80 nm,
respectively, and provide both visual and audible alerts.
Learn more.

TWIN
TURBOPROP FLIES BY REMOTE CONTROLTwo pilots sat in the
cockpit of 16-seat BAE Jetstream 31 and did nothing as it flew for 500
miles from England to Scotland in civil airspace, controlled by an
operator on the ground, according to news reports this week. The flight
reportedly took place sometime last month. The on-board pilots handled
the takeoff and landing, according to the BBC. The test was done by
Astraea, a research group funded by the government and commercial
companies, in cooperation with the National Air Traffic Services. In an
online video, Astraea official Lambert Dopping-Hepenstal says the
company has been working with authorities to develop a process for
certifying and operating an unmanned Jetstream in the civil airspace.
More...

FLIGHT
SERVICES ADDS SPIDERTRACKS MONITORINGPilots and operators
who use SpiderTracks satellite monitoring devices in their aircraft can
now register their device with the AFSS system to enable real-time
tracking of their flights. In a news release Lockheed Martin, which operated the
AFSS system, said by registering their SpiderTracks device, pilots can
ensure that their flight progress is monitored from takeoff to landing
and if the device stops moving, stops transmitting or sends an emergency
signal, the system is instantly alerted. "As a result, the system is
able to initiate search and rescue procedures with more precision and
speed than previously possible," said Lockheed Martin. The service is
free. The SpiderTracks system currently plots aircraft progress on a
website that requires a login. The SpiderTracks partnership seems to be
the test bed for a system-wide real-time monitoring system.
More...

Is Your iPad Cockpit
Ready?
IPad must be secured, viewable, (and operable with one hand) during
critical phases of flight per the FAA. There are many choices. Mounted
 windshield/suction, yoke, or panel. Kneeboards  single-leg
or lap desk. What is best for you? All MyGoFlight products allow
the iPad to easily rotate to view in landscape and portrait and can be
used as an everyday case, too. Invest in quality. Invest in one
case.For more information to make your iPad
cockpit-ready, click here.

AVWEB
INSIDER BLOG: B-29 CONNECTIONSAlthough its service life was
short, the B-29 remains one of the most fascinating airplanes ever
produced -- not so much for the airplane itself but what it took to get
it flying. On the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli recounts
his own experience in his first job: taking these magnificent airplanes
apart and melting them into scrap. He also observes that every serious
book on World War II in the Pacific carves out a chapter or two on the
SuperFortress. Read
more and join the conversation.More...

Changing Lives with the Power
of AviationAble Flight makes it possible for people with disabilities and
wounded veterans to become pilots or have a career in aviation. We don't
offer rides or introductory flights. We make pilots! With nearly 30
licensed pilots to date and more to come very soon, Able Flight is the
only non-profit of its kind in the United States.
Support the scholarship fund with your
tax deductible donation at AbleFlight.org.

Wow.
Either I'm really a VIP, or the people at the Sonoma Jet Center in Santa
Rosa, California just made me feel that way. When I arrived in my
Mooney, I was immediately swarmed by staff unpacking my luggage, loading
the rental car (that was brought to the airplane), hooking up a tow,
[and] handing us some cold waters. Then Josh said hello. He owns the
place  and when I found out he was a Mooney driver, I stepped out
of the airplane to chat. A couple of minutes later, I was offered hangar
space with the big guys. Nice! That night, my rental car experienced a
flat tire. [The rental company] was less than helpful  they left
me pretty much on my own. I called the FBO. They simply took care of the
issue. I left my car at the B&B in the morning, and when I returned
later that day, a new rental was sitting where the old one was. When we
left Santa Rosa, Josh showed up again to see us off. Last time I visited
Santa Rosa, Joyce at the front desk was exceptional. Now I get why
 it starts at the top. Great job, guys!

Peter Drucker
Says,"The Best Way to Predict the Future Is to Create
It"
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programs. Discover the benefits of instant response, quick copy
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decision-makers weekly,
click now for details.

AVwebFlash is a twice-weekly summary of the
latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on
AVweb, the
world's premier independent aviation news resource.

The
AVwebFlash team is:

PublisherTom Bliss

Editorial Director,
Aviation PublicationsPaul
Bertorelli

Editor-in-ChiefRuss Niles

WebmasterScott Simmons

Contributing
EditorsMary GradyGlenn Pew

ContributorsKevin Lane-Cummings

Ad
CoordinatorKaren
Lund

Avionics EditorLarry
Anglisano

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